SWEET CHERRY-STEWED MEATBALLS

Sweet Cherry-Stewed Meatballs image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
Salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate (sold in Middle Eastern stores and some fancy food shops)
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup beef stock, optional
1 cup sweet red wine, ruby port or Concord grape juice
1 pound fresh cherries, pitted
Boiled white rice or flatbread (pita) for serving
2 scallions, trimmed and chopped

Steps:

Combine beef, pine nuts and 1/2 teaspoon allspice. Season with salt. Form into balls or 2-inch long ovals about an inch thick. You should be able to make 12 to 16.
In a shallow 3-quart saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Sauté meatballs over medium heat, turning, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan.
Add onions and sauté over medium-low heat until softened. Add tamarind, lemon juice, sugar, remaining allspice, 1 cup water or beef stock and wine or grape juice. Bring to a simmer. Season to taste with salt. Add cherries and meatballs, partly cover and simmer about 1 hour. Sauce should have thickened. Check seasoning.
To serve, spoon over a bed of rice or onto split rounds of warmed pita. Sprinkle with scallions.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 309, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 21 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 466 milligrams, Sugar 15 grams, TransFat 1 gram